Penn Relays: High five for Jamaican schools in field events

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania:

ON WHAT was one of the warmest opening days at the Penn Relays in recent years Jamaica’s high-school boys produced some sparkling performances in the field events at the Franklin Field Stadium yesterday.

With temperatures in the high 70s degrees Fahrenheit, the Jamaican athletes had one of the most outstanding single-day field event showings ever. Led by two recent Carifta Games under-20 gold medallists, Kingston College’s (KC’s) Despiro Wray and Chavez Penn of Jamaica College (JC), the Jamaican schools won five of six field events.

Wray produced a massive throw of 20.87m to win the Championship of America shot put. Devonte Edwards of Munro College was second with 19.78m, and Marlando Ferguson of Cornwall College, third with 19.67m.

Wray was thrilled with his performance.

“The competition was great out there and, in the end, I came out with the win. I was very confident, very focused. Thanks to my coach. I’m very pleased to finish my school career on a high,” said Wray.

After disappointments at both the ISSA Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships and the recent Carifta Games — where he failed to make either final, it was sweet redemption for St Elizabeth Technical’s Ricoy Hunter in the boys’ long jump. On his fifth attempt, Hunter jumped 7.40m to win the event, ahead of Calabar’s Romaine Lewis with 7.22m.

“After disappointments at Champs and Carifta, I’m very happy to have redeemed myself at the Penn Relays. I was determined to win and make up for those mishaps. My coach wasn’t there, but I listened to the assistant coach and his advice paid off,” said a proud Hunter.

Penn captured the Championship of America high jump after clearing 2.09m. There was also another win for JC in the triple jump. Michael Andre Edwards had a best jump of 15.95m to take gold with Wolmer’s Boys’ Nicardo Grey Clarke finishing third with 14.82m.

Edwin Allen High’s Addison James secured the fifth victory of the day for Jamaica in the boys’ javelin, with a throw of 65.98m. Munro’s Ojay Ellis took second with 59.14m, while Calabar’s Terrique Daley placed fourth.

In the final field event of the day involving Jamaican athletes, JC’s Joseph Salmon placed second in the shot put with a throw of 61.64m. The Carifta champion was beaten by Ashton Hearn of Christian Brothers High, who won with a throw of 64.30m. Calabar’s Kamari Kennedy, the recent Austin Sealy Award winner at the Carifta Games, ended fifth with 59.32m.

Meanwhile Calabar had an impressive opening day on the track. The Red Hills Road-based school displayed top form in the preliminary rounds of both the Championship of America 4x100 metres and 4x400m.

Favourites to win the 4x100m, Calabar, led by a fast opening leg from Jamal Stephenson, stopped the clock at 40.24 seconds — the fastest qualifying time for today’s final at 12:50 p.m. Jamaican time. KC (40.70), JC (41.04), Excelsior High (41.08), Edwin Allen High (41.35), St Elizabeth Technical (41.49), and William Knibb (41.38) are the other Jamaican teams through to the final.

Assistant coach Christopher Harley was satisfied with Calabar’s run.

“Today, it was all about caution, as the goal was just to ensure the team qualified for the final after a few mishaps leading into the meet. We really want them to showcase their talents in the final,” said Hartley.

An exciting battle is expected in today’s Championship of America 4x400m, following yesterday’s preliminary action. Pre-race favourites Bullis High of the United States, with Olympian Quincy Wilson, are the fastest qualifiers after clocking 3:11.04 to win their heat ahead of Excelsior, who were second in 3:12.52. Calabar, with a back-to-fitness Nickecoy Bramwell, won their heat in 3:11.58, making them the third-fastest qualifiers.

Defending champions KC (3:13.22), St Elizabeth Technical (3:12.76), JC (3:14.96), and Holmwood Technical (3:15.82) are the other Jamaican teams advancing to today’s final set for 3 p.m.

Yesterday also saw preliminary action in the Championship of America 4x800m. Edwin Allen (7:49.99), KC (7:50.06), and Calabar (7:50.76) are through to today’s final. St John’s College of the United States are the fastest qualifiers with 7:40.65.

The high-school girls’ teams will be in action today, with Alphansus Davis High opening their campaign in the first heat of the 4x800m. Holmwood Technical, Edwin Allen, and Hydel High are also set to compete.